Risk Factors

A job that requires repetitive movements that strain the forearm muscles

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

Problems flexing your fingers or wrist

Pain while stretching the fingers or wrist

Area feels tender and sore

Muscle spasms

Swelling

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Most forearm muscle strains can be diagnosed with a physical exam.

Your doctor may want images of the area if severe damage is suspected. Images may be taken with
x-ray
or
MRI
.

Muscle strains are graded according to their severity:

Grade 1—Some stretching with micro tearing of muscle fibers.

Grade 2—Partial tearing of muscle fibers.

Grade 3—Complete tearing of muscle fibers. This may also be called a rupture or avulsion.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Recovery time ranges depending on the grade of your injury. Treatment steps may include:

Acute Care

Rest

Your muscle will need time to heal. Avoid activities that place extra stress on these muscles:

Do not do activities that cause pain.

Do not play sports until your doctor has said it is safe to do so.

Cold

Apply an ice or a cold pack to the area for 15-20 minutes, four times a day, for several days after the injury. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel.

Pain Relief Medications

To manage pain, your doctor may recommend:

Over-the-counter medication, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen

Topical pain medication—creams or patches that are applied to the skin

Prescription pain relievers

Compression

Compression can help prevent more swelling. Your doctor may recommend an elastic compression bandage around your forearm. Be careful not to wrap the bandage too tight.

Elevation

Elevation can also help keep swelling down. Keep your arm higher than your heart as much as possible for the first 24 hours or so. A couple of days of elevation might be recommended for severe strains.

Recovery Steps

Heat

Use heat only when you are returning to physical activity. Heat may then be used before stretching or getting ready to play sports to help loosen the muscle.

Stretching

When the acute pain is gone, start gentle stretching as recommended. Stay within pain limits. Hold each stretch for about 10 seconds and repeat six times. Stretch several times a day.

Strengthening

Begin strengthening exercises for your muscles as recommended.

If you are diagnosed with a forearm muscle strain, follow your doctor's
instructions
.

Prevention

To help reduce your chance of getting forearm muscle strain, take the following steps:

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.